Ayanna's story

[Arissa Warrner]

“Who is in charge here?” She asked in a stern voice. One of the older men stepped forward
‘I am in charge.” He said confidently “you are required by the Law of the emperor to surrender immediately!” he drew his sword and pointed it at her.
“We cannot surrender, and we refuse to.” Ayanna said “and I am ordering you in the name of the Counsel of Eight to leave us be!”
The man laughed and the rest of the men followed his example.
“The Counsel of Eight has no authority here. Now surrender!” He said
“The Counsel of Eight has all authority in all the Four Lands.” Ayanna said slightly annoyed now. Kadin came and stood beside her, glaring at the soldiers.
The man seemed annoyed at her persistence and grabbed a near by man’s spear and hurled it at the shield. Kadin acted on impulse, thrusting his hands forward. A huge gust of wind flew through the shield and hit the group. Many of them where knocked back to the tree line.
“Wha?!” Kadin gasped and looked at his hands in blank amazement.
“Finally!” Ayanna said happily hugging him. “You finally found your magic!”
Hunter and the twins emerged from around the tree.
“Whoa! Kadin, you do that stuff too!” The twins chorused. Hunter shook his head in blank amazement. Kadin was too surprised to do anything. Ayanna released him and smiled broadly at him.
“Wait, so you knew I could do this?” He managed to say
“Yes, I did. But I wasn’t sure how to tell you, so I thought I would let you find it by your self.” Ayanna explained. She looked at the expression on his face “Are you mad at me for not saying anything, are you?”
“No, I’m not mad at you! I’m just a little overwhelmed at the moment. Why has this never happened before?” Kadin said quickly
“Different types of magic express them selves in different ways. For air magic, which is what you have, it usually takes longer to show. But what you did was called backwind. It’s an impulsive or sub-conscious reaction to a physical threat to the host or...” Ayanna broke off and then smiled more broadly at him.
“What is it?” He said confused of why she stopped.
“You like me, don’t you?” Ayanna said her pale blue eyes glinting in amusement.
“Well, I, uhm...” Kadin searched for something to say. “Well, yes.”
Ayanna pulled him into another hug. He was more confused than ever but returned the hug.
“Okay, hate to ruin the moment but we really need to be headed off.” Hunter said.
“Yes we do.” Ayanna said letting Kadin go to look at Hunter and the twins. “But we have to go down the cliff now.”
“We have to go down the cliffs!” Frit and Jof said at the same time. Hunter looked equally amazed.
“Well, yes we do. Going around would take weeks.” Ayanna said.
“And in light of current events, the shorter time it takes the better.” Kadin said.
“But how are we going to get down! We don’t have any rope!” Hunter said “we can not climb down because of the horses!”
“I can make a shield except make it flat. Then I can lower us down.” Ayanna said
Hunter nodded, the plan sounded reasonable.
“Can you make it not see through?” Frit said nervously shifting from foot to foot
‘We’re kinda afraid of heights.” Jof finished. “And we really don’t want to see how far the drop is.”
Ayanna nodded sympathetically, she under stood how they felt. She walked over to the cliff edge. Turning she took down the shield between them and the trees.
“Shield, form flat.” She said putting a hand out to direct the flow of magic. The shield formed sideways from the cliff, forming a flat platform like slab of magic. Ayanna nickered at the horses. They walked on without hesitation. Kadin and Hunter followed the horses onto the shield.
“Come on.” Ayanna said to Frit and Jof. Walking onto the shield was proving more difficult than was previously perceived. One foot at a time they inched onto the shield, still hesitant of the magic and the drop.
“Hurry!” Ayanna called. She was looking back to the trees, seeing the soldiers regrouping. A stray arrow shot by her head.
“Get a move on!” Kadin shouted angrily at them as he dashed over and dragged them on. Both clung fearfully to the other and sat there shivering. “That’s everyone Ayanna, come on!”
Ayanna ran onto the shield and immediately began lowering it. It was a quick decent but they had a long way to go. Kadin and Hunter moved the horses away from the edge of the shield.
“Kadin put a shield up above us!” Ayanna said.
“How do I do that?!” Kadin asked amazed that she was asking him.
“Just let a shield form in your mind and say the word!” Ayanna said, looking back up the cliff to see the first of the soldiers peeking over the edge of the cliff. She could hear the voice of who she assumed was the second in command yelling orders.
Kadin was unsure of what to do. He closed his eyes and tried to form a shield in his mind like the ones he had seen. He wondered briefly if it should be cranberry or a blue color. Would it matter? He thrust his hands up and said “Shield!” He opened his eyes to see a shimmering, transparent, light blue shield above them. Just in time he thought as a spear shattered on the shield above the horses’ heads.
“Good job, Kadin!” Ayanna said her look of worry replaced by a look of joy. “That was good for your first try! I can’t wait to get you into lessons.”
“Uhm thanks Ayanna.” Kadin said hesitantly lowering his hands. The shield stayed hovering above them. “Hunter how do you think they found us?”
“I don’t know!” Hunter said, immediately defensive.
“I wasn’t blaming you; I just asked what you thought.” Kadin said taken back at his defensive response. “I’m sorry if you thought I was.”
“Well, I don’t know.’ Hunter grumbled looking back up at the swiftly receding cliff top “they probably tracked us.”
“They might’ve found our bandit grope and asked them.” Frit said “And we’re probably getting blamed for it too.”
“Why would they blame you? You’re not even there.” Ayanna said curious. She sat down by the twins resting on the ride down.
“We get blamed for every thing.” Frit said grinning uncaringly
“We’ve gotten use to it.” Jof said “Always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Well at least we’re almost to the keep.” She said with a smile, closing her eyes and picturing it.
“Yah, about that, Ayanna. I’m really s…. nervous about going there.” Hunter said. “I don’t know what the Counsel will think of me and …”
“Don’t worry Hunter!” Ayanna chimed happily “you’ll be fine, I promise!”
The bottom of the shield touched the river and Ayanna moved it to the bank. Both the twins rushed off the shield onto the bank. They both sat down on one of the many rocks that littered the bank.
“Never ever again. Never ever ever!’ Frit said sighing gratefully as he sat down. Jof nodded in agreement. Ayanna laughed at their statement and released the shield. Kadin did as well thought there where still some wisps of magic hanging around.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Through the next few lays of travel it was evident that Jrenca had been vary active to find them since Hunter had failed to bring them back. He had laden the way to the Keep with patrols and squads of soldiers. Although the land they where on was far out of the Empires lands, Jrenca seemed to have power here as well. Or so it seemed.
In all the little villages on the way there was never any soldiers there, that where in uniform at least. The villagers in most of the towns all seemed to know Ayanna vary well and they had a good reception where ever they chose to stop. Her explanation to their questions about the soldiers had traveled quickly, and the Air and Heat hosts that worked as protectors and guards immediately began to turn away and chase Jrenca’s soldiers.
“Well, only two more days!” Ayanna said one morning as the where eating breakfast in the shadows of the Rekzra Mountains. “Then I can get this book to the Counsel and Kadin can start training!”
Kadin smiled at Ayanna’s enthusiasm. She was really excited and had been babbling about all the places she was going to show him and people she would introduce him to. He couldn’t help but silently laugh. She was so care free and happy all the time. He wondered about her past and about how it would compare to his.
“So how are we going to get in?” Hunter was asking her “The keep is at the top of a lot of cliffs right?”
“Well, since we’re taking the West entrance…” She went into a long explanation about moving platforms, which caused the twins to groan something about heights.
Kadin shook his head and climbed a tree to look out over the forest. He scowled against the morning sun as he saw a dust cloud on the rode behind them.
“I think we have another problem!” He called out. Jof suddenly was in the tree next to him scanning the trees also
“Yes I think that it’s a squad.” He said lowly. “We need to move unless we want to fight them.”
“What’s going on?” Hunter called from the ground.
“Jof says that there is a squad coming up behind us.” Kadin called “We need to get moving unless we want to fight them.” Kadin hopped out of the tree followed by Jof.
“Yes, I don’t think its one of your friends, Ayanna” Jof said. “See with marching, the dust comes out behind a group, but normally it just goes where ever unless there’s wind.”
Ayanna nodded and swung up onto Baywind. The others all mounted their horses and they took off a fast pace. The sky clouded over and rain began to pour down out of the sky. Thunder rumbled and the horses shied at the noise.
“It’s okay. Allokay.” Ayanna said to them soothingly. Kadin looked behind them and saw a figure moving in the trees.
“There’s a tracker! Run!” He called. The horses took off at a break neck pace. They ran down the road and soon heard the noise of their pursers. Soon the mountain road came into view as the rain pounded down more heavily.
It was hours before they stopped the East entrance in view. It rose up from the ground towing hundreds of feet in the air. Ten feet thick glass slabs rested on ramps of stone with glass inlays formed the rode to get to the gate. Ayanna swung off Baywind and started heading to the ramps.
“Ayanna where are you going?!” Kadin shouted after her.
“I have to tell the counsel, and give them the book. You and the others go around to the west entrance! It’s safer!”
“Oh no! You are not going any where by your self!” Kadin said as he ran to catch up with her “I’m going with you!”
Ayanna paused and looked at Kadin for a moment.
“Oh all right.” She said sighing in defeat at the look in Kadin’s eyes. “But Hunter you and the twins go around and take the horses. The road is too dangerous for them.”
Hunter nodded and started to the pass that lead across the mountains. Ayanna and Kadin took off at a run, dashing for the glass road.
Kadin put a foot on the road and instantly slipped. Ayanna pulled him up
“Be careful it’s really slippery when it’s wet.” She said cautiously sticking a foot on it, but not having much success. “I know, you can push us up, Kadin!”
“What?! How do I do that!” Kadin said his eyes wide with surprise.
“Just say wind, don’t worry about steering though. I’ll take care of that!” Ayanna said. Kadin nodded and took her shoulders “Now think about the wind pushing you really fast!” Kadin said the word imagining what he was told. Suddenly he felt the road slide beneath his feet. He realized his eyes where closed and opened them too look around. His surroundings where a blur of color, causing him to gasp.
Are you okay, Kadin? Do we need to stop? Ayanna’s voice sounded in his head No, no! Im fine, it’s just we’re going so fast! How can you steer us?! He gasped back
Well, I use a bound to see and on turns like this there was a change in the direction they where going I use my foot to steer by sticking it out! Kadin thought over this new concept. After a few more dizzying turns Ayanna said Kadin, stop, we’re there! Kadin released the magic with a jolt, causing them to tumble forward. Ayanna rolled and hit the gate.
“Ayanna! Are you alright?!” Kadin said scrambling forward to help her up.
“Yes, I’m fine. Are you ok as well?” Ayanna asked
“Yah, I’m fine.” Kadin said. “So is this the Keep?” He asked
“Yep sure is! Aren’t the gates huge!” Ayanna said a smile on her face. Kadin looked up at the gates. They where huge, spanning the space above them for longer than he could see standing this close. They where made of some thick brown wood. There was something embossed on it but Kadin could not tell what it was.
“What’s on it?” Kadin asked. Ayanna looked up
“Oh that’s called the compass of magic.” Ayanna said. “it on the floor on the other side of the gate.”
“So how do we get in?” Kadin asked.
“This way.” Ayanna walked along the gate to a normal sized door set in the stone wall. She knocked hard on the wood and then stood back.
“what, what, who is it?!” A man opened a peep hole and scowled at them.
“It’s me, Ayanna. Let us in please.” She said

[Arissa Warrner]

“Oh! Right away Miss. Ayanna!” The door opened “Sorry we’ve just been bothered by those soldiers from the Empire lately.”
“As have we, traveling from the capital. I need to see the counsel quick!” Ayanna said pulling Kadin in through the door. The gate keeper nodded and rushed off. Ayanna ran down he different hallways and out onto a plat form.
“Ayanna where are we...woah!” Kadin gasped at his first view of the Counsel’s Keep. From the side of the building they where spanning the with of the mountains was a blue lake that was pocket marked from the rain. On the other side another building loomed over the lake, almost identical to the one they where standing on.
“That’s the West entrance, Hunter and the twins should be there soon.” Ayanna said. “But, I can show you that later. Come on!” she turned and ran down the rampart. Kadin followed, barely able to keep up with her. The passageways seemed to be spiraling, and it created a dizzying effect. Soon they came to a huge platform that jutted out onto the lake. Sitting on the opposite end of the platform was a large black creature.
Kadin stopped in his tracks to stare at it. It looked like the picture of a Shadow winged snake that was in the book that Ayanna carried in her bag. It had the large reptilian shape with the two wings that where folded against its back. Its head showed the frilled ears with the spiraled horns. Its neck was shiny with the wet from the rain. He looked around and saw its tail, hat had the fan shaped end that was characteristic to shadow winged snakes, curving around the platform.
“Hey, Cerberus! Is Trieah Warrner here?” Ayanna called to him. Kadin couldn’t help but gasp sharply and the large winged snake opened golden eyes to look at them. He yawned revealing sharp white fangs then laid his head down on his for paws, closing his eyes against the rain. Kadin couldn’t help but think that Shadow winged snakes where the only ones that had for legs as well as hind legs.
Ayanna sighed and walked over to him. She poked his frilled ear to get his attention, he responded by opening one eye to look at her. “Is Arissa here, Cerberus?” She asked again
Cerberus rumbled grumpily and lashed his fan shaped tail end to the building across the lake. The he snorted at Kadin, sending a cloud of water vapor over him. Then the winged snake thus proceeded to ignore them. Ayanna rolled her eyes and pulled Kadin back into the hall way.
Kadin turned back to look at the winged snake. Ayanna paused and looked back at Kadin. “Come on Kadin, we need to get there so we can see Trieah Warrner.”
“Sorry, its just he so….well…” Kadin said
“So neat?” A voice came from behind Ayanna. Ayanna turned and said “Arissa!” Arissa Warrner stood behind them smiling. Kadin blink surprised, he expected Arissa to be older. Instead she appeared about 25, her long brown hair windswept and tangled. She was dripping wet and had to constantly blink her emerald green eyes to keep water out of them.
‘Uhh yah I guess so.” Kadin mumbled, slightly embarrassed.
“Kadin this is Trieah Warrner, Trieah Warrner this is Kadin.” Ayanna said introducing them.
“Ah, yes, Kadin the infamous thief of the Lower City.” Arissa laughed “Well, it’s good to meet you, Kadin.”
“Uhh, thank you I guess.” Kadin said, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
“So what did you want so suddenly, Ayanna?” Arissa said. Ayanna pulled out the book and handed it to her.
“Jrenca is in the capital. We have some friends that are coming around to the west entrance; one of them is a… well use to be a Captain in the city guard. I think he could tell you more.” She said. Arissa frowned and then held up the book. It disappeared in a flame of black magic.
“Thank you, Ayanna. That is very important information.” Arissa said. She turned and stepped outside. “Cerberus, go and get Ayanna’s friends! They should be in the pass, bring them to the library!” Cerberus rumbled something and curled up tighter. “Cerberus…” The winged snake suddenly took off, wide wings flashing out to pull his body up into the air. The back draft from his wings sent water flying up as spray in the air. He became smaller as he rose out of the valley to fly to the pass. Kadin stared after him in amazement.
‘Now, come, let’s get to the Library and dry off.” Arissa said. Kadin found himself emerged in total darkness, and for a second he started to panic. But it faded away as quickly as it had come. Kadin looked around and found he was standing in a huge library. Shelves of books where every where, as well as display cases. In this huge room he felt tiny; the ceiling was taller that Cerberus had been standing.
“Kadin, this way.” Ayanna called to him, she was standing at the entrance to a row of shelves. He followed her dazed and awed. He could barely begin to imagine how much all this was worth. Ayanna lead him to a small room that was on the side of the Library.
Inside were Arissa and several other people. Kadin was shocked to see one was not human, but a Shadow Cat. He had stark white fur and acid green eyes. Kadin thought that Shadow Cats where grey and black.
“Your right, we usually are. I’m an exception.” The white shadow cat said. Kadin jumped and stared at him. The shadow cat made a face “oh, yes sorry about that. I wasn’t meaning to pry. I’m Screcar Zandra, Full Light Host.”
“Hello.” Kadin squeaked entirely surprised. Ayanna elbowed him in the arm.
“Ow! What was that for?!” Kadin said
“Trieah Zandra, Kadin!” She said frowning at him.
“Oh, sorry.” He mumbled at them embarrassed by his lack of knowledge.
“No, no! Its fine, we don’t expect you to know.” Screcar said smiling.
“Well, that’s one introduction down!” Arissa said smiling. “This is Karce Raltagold, full earth host and Sharon Zaharra, full Heat host.” On the first name a man with short brown hair and dark eyes smiled and waved at him. On the second a tall girl with shocking shiny black hair and the strange light brown eyes attributed to the far ice lands nodded. Kadin mumbled a greeting at them, embarrassed and slightly scared.
“So what happened?” Sharon asked, her voice sounded like bells. “Did you get the book?”
“Yes Trieah Zaharra we got the book, Kadin and I did.” Sharon raised an eye brow at Kadin but said nothing. “But Jrenca was there! In the library, and he almost caught us!” That drew every ones attention, Ayanna continued telling them what had happened, her vice rising and falling with each part. Kadin thought she was really good at telling stories. After they where done the Counsel talked in hushed worried tones to each other.
“Uhm, excuse me.” Kadin said they all looked at him “I’m sorry, I’m not meaning to interrupt but isn’t there supposed to be eight people on the counsel?”
“Well, yes there is.” Screcar said, twitching his tail “but you see, not all of the full hosts have been found yet.”
“Found, you have to find them?” Ayanna asked. This subject was not one that was discussed often.
“Yes, it takes lots of training to really identify one. You have to look for the right signature in their magic, or if they do not know they can use magic, put them in a stressful situation to help them find it.” Karce said, speaking up for the first time. His voice was a little shaky as if he had been scared permanently at some point. “Believe me I know.” With that he scowled at Arissa
“I locked him in an underground room with no light.” Arissa explained with a small smile “he ruined to door.”
“You completely scared me! I was still a prisoner, despite roaming about with you, Wolfwood and Rara. I thought you where going to leave me there!” Karce said with a look on his face that said he really wasn’t too happy about it. Kadin was suspired, Karce was a prisoner? They must have noted his look of confusion.
“I was part of Areso’s army at the time. The Shadow Cats caught me snooping around the mountains trying to find the palace.”
Any further explanation was interrupted by the sound of flapping wings and terrified shouts. They all rushed to the window and saw Cerberus flying toward them through the rain, his left for paw clutched around three figures.
“that must be your friends, they sound scared.” Arissa observed and threw the widow open
“Cerberus, over hear!” Arissa roared. Kadin did a double take at her, she had literally roared, and he had understood. He wanted to ask if that was normal, but Ayanna had pulled him out of the way of the window. Cerberus flew closer and managed to fit his paw through the window, dropping the twins and Hunter on the floor. The twins where shaking and whimpering, their eyes squeezed shut

[Arissa Warrner]

((dis is the end))
Hunter coughed and propped himself up on his elbows. They where all soaked through with rain.
“Oh, Hunter are you ok?!” Ayanna cried and ran over to him. He jumped, not expecting her.
“Yes, I think so.” He said shakily. He looked up and froze when he saw the counsel. Ayanna had gone to shake the twins. Hunter felt completely helpless, not being able to interpret the expression on their faces. He got up slowly and bowed his head, his breath a little shaky. The white Shadow Cat walked over to him, moving just about as slowly as he had. Well here goes, Hunter thought. The Shadow Cat place a paw on his shoulder.
“Hunter? Are you alright?” Screcar asked. His ears pricked forward waiting for an answer. Karce smiled sympathetically, he understood how Hunter felt.
“I-i’m fine, I think.” Hunter responded, slightly stiff.
“You don’t need to be afraid. We will not harm you.” Screcar said. Hunter’s eyes shot up to meet Screcar’s friendly gaze. He then lowered it in relief, letting out a breath he didn’t know he had been holding.
“Jof, Frit?” Ayanna asked the twins, who opened their eyes to look at her.
“Ayanna! There was a big winged snake! Where are we?! What happened?!” Frit said panicked.
“It’s okay Frit that was Cerberus.” Ayanna said
“Cerberus? What kind of a name is that?” Jof asked quietly, having recovered from the flight.
“Cerberus is the name of a monster that takes the shape of a giant dog that has three heads.” Arissa said smiling. Jof jumped and looked at her, not having noticed the other people in the room
“Oh, I’ve never heard of that...” He said surprise evident in his voice.
“I wouldn’t expect you to have.” Arissa said “it’s not a myth of this world. Besides, my winged snake can be a little bit of a monster when he’s grumpy.”
Jof’s eyes widened and he started to mutter an apology.
“Well, while your all standing around getting water on the floor, I’ll just dry you off.” Sharon said. She flicked her hand at them and they where all dry and warm.
“Thank you, Trieah Zahra.” Kadin said remembering the title that Ayanna had told him. Sharon nodded towards him in return.
“Now, Hunter, we need you to tell us everything you can about Jrenca.” Karce said to Hunter. Hunter took a step back, not sure what to say or do.
“Please, Hunter, would you?’ Ayanna asked encouragingly. He glanced down at her and then sighed
“Well I guess I can.” He said hesitantly. He went with the counsel to the table that was in the room.

The next few weeks where spent in hours of studying and practice for Kadin, not that he didn’t mind. Ayanna had introduced him to the air host that would be teaching him. He was a short round man with a cheerful smile and booming voice. His name was Freal Grabrto. There where ten other people in Kadin’s class, which he learned was a big class for this part of the Four Lands.
They where just finishing a lecture on the wind currents when the person behind Kadin thought it would be funny to pore his ink well on Kadin’s head. Kadin heard him move and dodged to one side, pushing his papers up the desk. The boy was surprised when his ink hit nothing but the wooden chair.
“I say! What is going on over there!?” Freal said, walking over. He saw the ink of the chair and Kadin standing beside it, scowling at the boy behind him. “Now, now, calm down, Kadin. What happened?”
“He tried to pour ink on me.” Kadin said pointing to the boy. Freal looked at the boy sternly, who leaned back in his chair.
“That is the third time this week that you have caused disruptions. What is the matter with you?” Freal asked him
“I don’t want any city scum in my class!” The boy shouted standing up.
“You take that back! You have no idea what you’re talking about!” Kadin shouted at him. There where sparks emitting from Kadin’s hands. The rest of the class scrambled back against the walls, two ran out of the door. Even Freal took a step back in surprise.
“Oh, yah well your all a bunch of stuck up pigs!” the boy shouted back. Kadin didn’t respond vocally but made an extremely rude street sign at him. The boy didn’t know what it meant but the look on Kadin’s face told him it was rude. He shouted and threw a blast of air and him.
Kadin shielded with out a second thought and returned a blast of wind that threw the boy against the wall. The boy cried out when he hit the wall then fell forward. He tried to get up then his strength gave way and he slipped out of conciseness. Kadin scowled at his still form.
Two of the class ran over to the boy to see if he was okay.
“Kadin?” Freal asked hesitantly. Kadin looked toward him then sighed.
“I think I over reacted.” He admitted, ashamed. He walked over to his desk and started to gather up his papers.
“Kadin, who taught you to shield?” Freal asked, still staring at Kadin amazed.
“Hu? Oh, Ayanna taught me.” Freal nodded thinking
“Andrea, will you take him to a healer. Kadin come with me. Class dismissed.” He said. Kadin followed him down the passageways to a small open courtyard containing various targets and obstacles. Kadin wondered why Freal had brought him here; he thought he was in trouble. “Kadin I want you to hit that target as hard as you can.” Freal said pointing to a large bolder that had been knocked halfway into the ground. Kadin blinked and then nodded.
He closed his eyes and pulled up as much power as he dared. He opened his eyes and sent the power hurtling toward the bolder. Kadin felt the wind rush by him as he thrust his hands forward. The wind, streaked with magic light, hit the boulder pulverizing it and sending what was left flying out of sight into the sky. Freal stood there gaping at Kadin.
“Did I do something wrong?” Kadin asked worried.
“No, no. you did fine.” Freal said halfway distracted looking at the smoking hole in the ground where the bolder was. “Uhm, you can go now. Yes,” He said regaining himself “just run along and go get lunch.”
Kadin blinked, extremely confused, but did as he was told. He was walking down the halls when he realized someone was calling his name. He turned to see Ayanna running toward him.
“Hi, Ayanna, I didn’t hear you.” Kadin said. Ayanna caught up to him
“What’s wrong, Kadin you look worried?” Ayanna asked suddenly anxious.
“Oh, it’s nothing, really.” Kadin said brightly “so how was your day?”
“Kadin, what happened?” Ayanna asked giving him a nice try look. Kadin sighed in defeat and told her what happed
“I’m really worried I did something wrong. I didn’t mean to if I did!”
“It doesn’t sound like you did anything wrong.” Ayanna said “besides getting in a fight, that really was uncalled for, but you did have the right to defend your self. Well, don’t worry about it, come on lets go have some lunch!”
They walked to the eating hall for the school. The loud talking quieted some when they walked in, but soon rose to normal levels. Getting their food they sat at their usual table with all of Ayanna’s friends. Well, not all of them, because Ayanna was friends with almost everyone. It was evident that the squabble in class had spread quickly. Kadin tried to shrug it off, telling them that it was an accident.
Kadin saw the boy who he had knocked out sitting at a table with some of his friends. He got up and walked over to him and stood there till he was noticed
“What do you want? You wanna brag? Hu?” The boy spat at him, he had a bandage around his head but seemed other wise fine.
“No, I just wanted to say I was sorry. I over reacted.” Kadin said. The boy was surprised.
“Oh, well, thanks. Sorry for trying to pour ink on you.” He mumbled, Kadin nodded his acceptance and walked back to Ayanna’s table. Ayanna beamed at him
That was vary big of you, Kadin. Kadin turned red with embarrassment well, I did need to apologies, I knocked him out he said. Ayanna just beamed at him and continued to talk to some other people. Kadin sighed and shook his head.

Later that night, Kadin was sitting by the lake experimenting with his magic. At first he just caused small ripples in the water in front of him. Soon he made it stronger and stronger till he was blowing deep rifts in the water, sending water spraying forward. He smiled pleased with himself.
He looked up to the sky and saw a winged shape heading toward him. It was small, maybe three feet long. Kadin squinted and saw it was a baby winged snake, though he couldn’t tell what kind it was. He realized it was on a crash course into him when it was too late to move. It barreled into his chest so hard it knocked him over onto the rocky shore line.
He opened his eyes to find them staring into a pair of red ones framed by a pastel blue face. He stared back entranced by its stare. Then it looked away and made a gravelly squeak. Kadin blinked and realized it was an air winged snake, no legs and the long horns. Maybe it would just slither off, air winged snakes being the second most aggressive out of the eight types. It squeaked again and curled up on his chest with a low purr.
Kadin realized it was not going to move, so he slowly propped himself up on his elbows. It only purred louder and curled around his neck. Kadin froze for several moments before slowly getting up. It squeaked and nudged his ear with its head. Its tail hung down his back while it hooked its wing claws into his shirt.
Kadin made his way slowly into the hallways and to Freal’s room. He raised his hand and knocked on the door.
“Yes?” Freal called, making the winged snaked squeak loudly and grab his shirt tighter.
“Eh, I have a problem.” Kadin said. It started to purr again. “Please open the door really slowly.” The door opened slowly as he asked and Freal looked out. His eyes widened. ‘I think that there is something wrong with it.” Freal nodded and indicated that he should go back out side. Kadin walked back to where he had been before, as it was a common practice spot. Kadin almost jumped when Arissa appeared in a swirl of shadows, but he held himself still.
“Kadin, what happened?” Arissa asked. The winged snake cocked its head at her and blinked.
“Well, I was practicing and it came out of no where and just slammed into me.” Kadin said “I think that there’s something wrong with it.”
Arissa held out her hand and the winged snake willingly uncurled and flew to her hand and curled around her arm. It squeaked and flared its wings.
“Now, little one who do you belong to?” She asked it
“Kadin!” it said. Kadin took a step back and stared at it. Arissa blinked as well.
“I-it said my name!” he exclaimed.
“You understood that?” Arissa asked, looking at him curiously.
“Yes, I did. It said my name. How did it do that?” Kadin asked. Arissa smiled at the little winged snake
“Well, Kadin, why don’t you ask her?” She said holding her hand out. The winged snake turned her brilliant red eyes to Kadin.
“H-how did you know my name?” Kadin asked her.
“You’re my Kadin!” She squeaked and flapped over and curled around his neck purring. Kadin blinked confused and amazed.
“But, winged snakes only bound to full hosts!” Kadin said staring at Arissa. She smiled and laughed
“That they do, Kadin. Here come with me.” She said placing her hand on his shoulder, despite the winged snake hissing at her. Kadin gasped when she jumped them, now knowing the proper term for it. They appeared in a room that held a big table in the center of four sections of books. Kadin could see that other books lined the walls
“Wait here, the others will arrive here soon.” Arissa said and jumped. Kadin blinked and looked at the table. He had never seen wood that looked like that before, it had a strange grain. He gasped when he saw the pattern in the middle, a ten pointed star, the symbol of Dawning Grace, the world’s creator. It was even made of the legendary metal, gosilve that came from Lightshome. It shimmered in the torchlight, gold with a seemingly silver sheen, harder than diamonds.
Kadin thought about the legends of Dawning Grace, a huge black wolf with bat wings and ivory claws. How she created the world with her pure power. He jumped when he heard a door open. He blinked and looked toward where the sound had come from. Karce walked into the sight yawning.
“Hi, Kadin.” He said sleepily “Arissa called me up here, she bring you?” Kadin nodded mutely. Karce blinked at his, Kadin marveled slightly at the thought, his winged snake. “Well, it looks like you got yourself a winged snake.” He chuckled
“Yes, sir.” Kadin said “you sound like you expected it.”
“Oh, well yes I did.” Karce said smiling. Kadin opened his mouth, but couldn’t find any words to say. At that moment Sharon appeared in a fiery flare, covered up in a blanket. As soon as she entered the temperature in the room rose notably.
“Ah, it’s cold in here!” she complained in her bell like voice. The temperature raised agian.
“Hey, stop that!” Came Screcar’s voice, who suddenly stepped into the room from thin air. “Some of us have fur you know.”
“Screcar, it’s cold, really cold!” Sharon said rolling her eyes “it really is.”
“Well, just warm the area around you, not the whole room.” Screcar said, lashing his tail around irritated by the temperature.
“Now, let’s not start arguing.” Karce said trying to keep the peace “Sharon I know it will seem cold in here because you where just home, but Screcar isn’t use to that, so please don’t make the entire room scorching. And Screcar you could’ve said that more nicely. Come on people, I feel like your nanny!”
With the two still glowering at each other, Arissa arrived with Ayanna. Arissa sensed the bad mood
“Whoa, now what happened in here?” She asked cheerily.
“Eh, you would think that in a sentry they would learn to get along.” Karce said rolling his eyes.
“Oh, that. Well no matter.” Arissa said. “Ayanna, Kadin, come over here would you.” They both walked over, Ayanna staring curiously at the winged snake around Kadin’s neck. The bickering instantly stopped and the counsel took there seats around the table. “Ayanna Kirndren and Kadin RcChral, you have been assed by the current members of the Counsel of Eight, you have been found to posses the marking Gift of Tongues. Let me be the first to welcome you to the counsel” Ayanna’s eyes widened in surprise and she opened her mouth. No words came out; the shock was so evident on her face that Kadin placed a hand on her shoulder, afraid she would faint.
“Ayanna are you alright?” He asked panicked. Screcar stood up and walked over, he placed a paw on her other shoulder and it glowed with a white light dimly. Ayanna’s eyes went out of focus of a second before brightening.
“Why me?” She whispered the tone of her voice horrified. Kadin was confused; he thought she would be happy. Then he remembered how scared she was of hurting any thing. She would think this the worse thing to ever happen to her.
“it’s okay, Ayanna.” Kadin said encouragingly.
“b-but I don’t want it!” Ayanna whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked to Arissa “take it away from me, give it to some one else!”
Kadin stared at her in horror, it couldn’t be that bad. But surly Arissa couldn’t do that, could she? He glanced at Arissa who was shaking her head at Ayanna
“Ayanna, I couldn’t put you through that.” She said ‘but you will be fine, Ayanna. I promise.”
“I will have to fight! I will have to kill people, Trieah Warrner! I don’t want to do that.” Ayanna said crying. Kadin pulled her into a hug. She cried softly into his shoulder, much to the discomfort of his little winged snake. He could understand how she felt. He looked to Arissa and the rest of the counsel. Karce was looking at her sympathetically and Sharon was looking at them uncomprehending Ayanna’s reaction. Screcar was standing there, his eyes slightly of focus, looking at something that Kadin could not see. Arissa was standing respectfully back.
“Ayanna, it’s alright.” Kadin said softly in her ear “you won’t have to hurt anyone except for in desperate times.”
“I don’t want to have to hurt anyone at any time though.” She whispered back.
“But what about the people who would hurt all the innocent people out there. You can protect them! By doing so, less people will get hurt!” He said
“Really?” Ayanna asked, sniffing and looking up at him. He nodded; if she kept this up she would get hiccups. She managed a brief smile and leaned back against him.
I love you, Ayanna. Kadin thought. I love you back she thought.

Chapter 4
“Ayanna! Hit this!” Kadin called a smile on his face as he tossed up a clay disk for her to hit with a blast of magic. She laughed and easily hit it, her new winged snake squeaking encouragement. He was a small thing for a war winged snake, a runt. But what he lacked in size he made up for in aggression. Ayanna now wore a leather band around her neck to protect it from the spines that ran down his back and belly.
His own winged snake, named Bluebell, was curled around is own neck.
“Faster, throw faster!” She said to him. Kadin smiled and threw five disks in air with rapid succession spinning them faster with his magic. Ayanna hit them all, barely getting the last one. He could here her winged snake, Jer’sha, squeaking threats at the disks if they didn’t let themselves get hit. He smiled and shook his head.
“Okay, Ayanna, my turn!” He called. She nodded and picked up the disks that sat beside her throwing them as fast and high as she could. He hit all of them easily and his winged snake roared in approval, while Ayanna’s hissed in a competitive way. Then the hiss turned to a more aggressive sound. Kadin turned toward the door that led to the field they where practicing in. Karce strode towards them in a vary business like way.
“Trieah Raltagold, what’s the matter?” Ayanna called.
“Arissa had called an emergency meeting. I thought I would let you know on the way to get Sharon” he said. “We’re discussing Jrenca. Hunter will be there too. It’s been awhile since you’ve seen him.”
“We’ll be there.” Ayanna said smiling at seeing Hunter again. Karce nodded and disappeared in a swirl of green magic. What was that called, Drop traveling? Yes that sounded right. Ayanna nodded to Kadin across the field and the headed up the meeting room, the fourth floor of the library.

When they go up the room Arissa had tacked a big map to a wooden board and drawn what looked like a battle plan on it. She was lounging around in her chair talking to Hunter and the twins.
“Ayanna, Kadin, good Karce told you before he left!” She said sitting up.
“Trieah Warrner, what is going on?” Ayanna asked.
“We figured out what Jrenca is planning.” Arissa said “and you realize that you don’t have to call anyone Trieah, right?”
“Well, yes. I’m sorry, it’s a habit.” Ayanna said smiling. Kadin looked at the map.
“This is the plains to the northeast of the capital.” He said pointing to a part of the map that had lines drawn all over it. “Why is it all marked up?’
“I think we should wait till the others get here to explain.” Arissa said. Kadin looked at her curiously. Then he shrugged and went to stand by Ayanna who was talking to Hunter and the twins excitedly. Hunter was looking much more relaxed than he had when he had first arrived. The twins where just the same as always, still making Ayanna laugh. Kadin smiled and shook his head.
Soon the other members of the counsel soon arrived. Sharon seemed in a foul mood, being awakened from sleep for the second time. Her home was in a different day cycle than where the keep was.
“Now, Hunter was able to bring us valuable information on Jrenca’s plans. And most of it is the usual bad guy stuff” Kadin blinked, he always had a hard time understanding Arissa’s odd use of words. “But anyway, he plans to try and rid himself of the counsel, thinking that we will ‘ignore’ him, as we have been seeming to do, until it is to late to retaliate. So for Ayanna and Kadin, I suggest that you guard you minds.”
“Guard them? What do you mean?” Ayanna asked.
“Jrenca’s magic is a dangerous mix of light and shadow, made more so by the fact that the mix is unbalanced. Now, where Screcar and my self could combine our magic with no ill effects, them being in one person is a different story. When it is combined into one person, especially with a somewhat weak will, it tends to get to them.” Arissa explained “and the magic can twist their minds some really weird ways, because it wants to separate. But when a person who has barely accessed there power, the strength of their resistance to other magical influences is weak. He may think to try Ayanna, but he probably has found out about you, Kadin, so I would put, well, a barrier of magic around you’re minds. Like a shield.”
Kadin and Ayanna nodded gravely, they understood what would happen if Jrenca got hold on either of them. They glanced to each other worried. Arissa tacked up a map of the keep over the general map. It also had lines and notes on it. Arissa went in to an extensive speech about what they had found out.
Ayanna felt an oncoming since of dread as Jrenca’s plan was relived to her. How could anyone be so horrible?! This was one of the worst things that Ayanna could imagine ever happening.
“We have to do something about it!” She cried interrupting Arissa, her winged snake shrieking. “That’s so horrible; we have to stop him before he can go any further!”
Kadin nodded in agreement. Some one who would do things that horrible should be dealt with as soon as it was physically possible, or magically.
“Yes, we do have to stop it Ayanna. This is why I put this together.” She said pulling the map of the keep away to revile the larger map beneath it “the only way to stop him is to meet him in battle. It is an unfortunate truth that we cannot avoid. According to him, he wants to get close enough to attack us with out our realizing it. But, in between here and the capital are countless villages and towns. If the Emperor had been overshadowed as we think, then none of the laws protecting them will matter any more. We must, must, met him before he gets to any of theses places!” Ayanna nodded resolutely, she would do what it took to stop him, even if it meant taking another’s life.

Kadin looked in his mirror, he hardly recognized him self. For once in his life his face and hair where not smeared by dirt. He had clothes that didn’t have any holes in them. Now, he was dressing for a battle! He had never been in anything more than a knife fight before! He had no idea what to do!
His battle outfit was made of flexible leather that Karce had run steel threads through to make it arrow proof. The front of his shirt was embossed with the symbol of Air magic. His shoulders where covered by metal plates that Arissa had told him where shoulder guards. She had tried to explain the concept of metal armor to him, but taking his blank look in she gave up. He had several more pieces of metal armor, arm and shin guards that strapped on over his clothes. And he had a cloak, which he found amusing.
He had to admit he looked vary impressive. He wondered what the city guard would say if they could see him now. He grinned at the thought. He walked out into the main court yard that joined the counsel’s chambers. He gasped when he saw Ayanna.
She was absolutely beautiful, and slightly intimidating. Her silver hair was pulled back in a pony tail with an extremely thin black silk ribbon. A gold circlet rested on her head, with a small light blue stone centered on her fore head. She had on a shimmering mail vest over a long sleeved maroon over coat. The over coat had thin gold lines around the edges with occasional triangles. It flared out at her waist, reveling loose black pants. On her hands where black gloves like the ones the shadow cats wore. Gloves that had no fingers. She had on a short maroon cape, which stopped about a foot above her hands
“Ayanna, you look… stunning.” Kadin said breathlessly.
“Well, to honest I feel quite silly.” She admitted “but you look good as well.”
“But nothing compared to you. I bet all the men in Jrenca’s army will think they died and went to Lightshome, instead of Everflame, where they belong.” Kadin whispered to her. That made her smile
“You’re biased. You’re always going to think I look good.” She said, her pale blue eyes sparkling. Kadin hugged her, and then held her at arms length.
“I don’t think that I’m that biased.” He said smiling. Ayanna rolled her eyes
“Oh, come on; let’s just get this over with.” She said.

Three hours later they where flying over the battle field on one of the parents of their winged snakes. Kadin had been worried about flying, but he had been assured may times that he would find it natural and love it. That assurance and proven true, he loved flying. Grudgingly he landed around that night’s camp. Walking over to the fire that Sharon had instantly started he sat and ate dinner with the rest of the counsel.
“Kadin are you nervous about the battle?” Ayanna whispered to him.
“Yes, I am. Are you?” She nodded and sighed.
“I wish that I did not have to fight, but I know I will. Will you be there with me?”
“Of course I will Ayanna.” Kadin said smiling assuredly. Ayanna hugged him thankfully before retreating to her tent.
Kadin went to his own tent and soon fell asleep. He dreamed that he was standing on the tallest point in the wall of the capital. He was over the west gate, where they had executions of criminals and other offenders of the law. Kadin took a step back terror running through him, and then he stiffened. He had no reason to be afraid; he was a member of the Counsel of Eight!
“You can be free of all that.” A silky smooth voice said. It was not his, nor any he recognized.
“Wha? Who are you? Where are you?” He demanded, looking around. He could see no one, the city seemed to be abandoned. The voice laughed, it almost sounded cruel.
“I am right here.” Kadin turned to see a robed and hooded figure, dressed in dark grey.
“Who are you?!” Kadin demanded warily.
“you don’t know? Well I am a person who is vary much like you, Kadin RcChral.” The figure said.
“Jrenca!” Kadin hissed reckoning him finally. “Get out of my head!”
“Come now, Kadin. I just want to talk to you.” Jrenca said holding up his pale hands.
“I don’t want to talk!” Kadin growled at him “get out!”
“Now, just hear me out. I wanted to see if you would join me? You are vary much like me, you know, no family, no friends.” He said, Kadin found he couldn’t move or open his mouth as Jrenca talked. No! He thought this would not happen! Kadin felt him self slipping and saw the dull, dark grey magic showing around Jrenca’s hands. Jrenca was no longer talking but started to stride towards him. Kadin tried to resist, he gathered all his strength.
“Shield! Protect me from this fate!” He shouted as loud as he could, his voice layered with magic. Kadin sat up with a gasp his eyes flew open. His mouth was still open from his yell. Sharon burst into his tent.
“Kadin are you alright! What happened?” She said.
“Jrenca tried to overshadow me!” He said, then jumped up “Ayanna!”
“Don’t worry, Ayanna is fine, I was just talking to her. Jrenca, you say?” Kadin nodded “oh, this is bad he is much closer then we thought, come on.” Sharon said and pulled him to Arissa’s tent

They where all assembled in a semi circle. They where waiting for Jrenca to get there, they could see the torches in the distance, slowly coming closer. They where on there winged snakes, the silence was heavy, no insects or animals to be heard, as if they knew what was coming. Arissa gave the signal and they took to the air.
Kadin was flying beside Ayanna, his eyes forward and hard as ice. Soon they came in sight of the army, it was vast, thousands of men formed in ranks. They heard the alarmed shouts as the army saw six winged snakes flying at them. Arissa landed her winged snake in front of the army.
“Jrenca Hecrarlen, you are hear by commanded to surrender! You will be tried according to your crimes by the Law of Magic!”
A low laugh came from some where in the army. Jrenca’s laugh, Kadin recognized with distaste. The grey clad figure appeared in front of his army. Kadin and the others landed their winged snakes behind Arissa
“And on what….. authority do you arrest me under? Humm?” he said scornfully “surely not with that silly counsel of yours.” Arissa was not phased
“I, Arissa Warrner, Leader of the Counsel of Eight, and Full Shadow Magic Host, arrest you in the name of Dawning Grace and the Guardian of Rash-reily!”
Jrenca seemed to wilt some, there was no denying the authority in Arissa’s voice. Then he seemed to regain his control. He threw his hands up in the air and sent a swirl of magic. This was the signal to attack. The army surged forward and Kadin suddenly lost some confidence, there where thousands of them, and only six of the Counsel.
Arissa let out a Shadow Cat war scream, it sounded like a mountain lion. Karce yelled something that he could catch and Sharon let out a burst of fire from her palms while her winged snake let one from his mouth. Screcar echoed Arissa’s scream and his winged snake burst forward at the oncoming army. Kadin found himself hurtling forward as Bluebell’s mother took to the air and sped after Screcar. Ayanna was right beside him, her winged snake shrieking madly. Ayanna looked overwhelmed and scared.
Ayanna1 you can do this! Trust me, just do what feels natural! He shouted to her mentally. Ayanna heard him and decided to take his advice. She closed her eyes and touched her core light, the source of her power. She felt the change as if it had been waiting for this chance. She sighed and surrendered to her power.
Kadin lost track of Ayanna during the fight, he was too focused on the battle. That much power running through him felt amazing. He let himself fall into a pattern, trying to ignore the terrified faces of the men and the bright flashing lights of the magic around him. The thing that snapped him out of it was the first big explosion.
He turned in the saddle, looking around to find the source of the noise. He gasped in disbelief. That was not the sweet girl he knew on that winged snake. Her body was glowing with cranberry magic and there where huge bursts of magic coming from her. the winged snake she rode snapped and bit at the men that tried to flee before it. A sudden explosion made the earth vibrate and Kadin felt his teeth chatter and the sound wave that washed over him. A huge concentration of magic started to form in the air, other wisps circling around the main source, like the rings of a wayward planet.
Then he noised how few men where left, that the others in the counsel had stopped fighting. He saw who Ayanna was aiming at, Jrenca. Jrenca seemed to be frozen in place the grey magic swirling around his hands. Kadin saw his face for the first time. He was an older man, not handsome but not ugly. He had graying mouse brown hair and dark eyes, which where now widened in terror.
Kadin turned his head, no being able to watch. But he heard the massive explosion as clear as day. He opened his eyes and sent his winged snake in a desperate climb to escape the shock waves. When they blew down he saw that Ayanna had turned on the rest of the army, a smoking crater in between them. They could not run because Karce had blocked there route of escape by pulling up a huge earth wall.
“Ayanna! Stop, they’re surrendering!” He called, for indeed they had hoisted up a white flag, and where waving it very fast. Kadin watched as Ayanna jumped and the power surrounding her suddenly disappeared, taking away from a lot of the light on the field. Kadin could now tell it was sunrise.
Ayanna’s winged snake landed and Kadin had his fly over.
“Ayanna, are you ok?” He cried as soon as he was in ear shot. He leapt off the winged snake’s back and ran over to her. She was staggering around looking half out of it.
“Yah, yah, I’m fine, just sleepy.” She said. Soon Arissa and Screcar came running over. Arissa quickly gave her a water skin and ordered her to drink. Screcar murmured and bound on her, his paws glowing gently. She closed her eyes and fell asleep. Screcar picked her up and disappeared in a flash of light.
“Where is he taking her?’ Kadin said worried.
“Just back to her tent, so she can rest.” Arissa assured him softly “now lets finish this.” Kadin nodded and walked after her. Soon Screcar rejoined them as well as Karce and Sharon. They halted in front of what was left of Jrenca’s army.
“Who ever is in charge now, get up here!” Arissa demanded. Soon a tall man who was bearing a sword came hesitantly to them. In his right hand he bore a small white flag.
“Trieah Warrner, we surrender.” He said as soon as he was in ear shot. “Please, if you may, listen to me!”
The counsel walked the distance between them. He seemed too scared to move. Kadin recognized him from one of the cities celebrations, he had given a speech. Kadin couldn’t recall his name.
“Now tell us what you want to say.” Arissa said. The man nodded harshly, his eyes wide in desperation.
“Please I know you must be enraged with Jrenca, but please, do not continue to kill the army! You may take my life as well if you wish, but spare the lives of the rest of my men!” he pleaded.
“Don’t worry.” Arissa said “if you surrender your hold on the government and army, we will stop. Our goal is to stop Jrenca and the threat he caused”
The man hastily agreed relief on his face. Kadin sighed, it was all over. The whole adventure was finally done. They could go back to life as they knew it. Well, almost as they knew it.
Three days later they rode into the capital city of the Northlands Empire with Hunter out in front, just as Ayanna said they would. They where accompanied by the other member of the Counsel of Eight, who where leading what was left of the army, and the twins, who had agreed to stay with Hunter and organize the outer patrols. They had a talent for things like that and it had been discovered during their stay at the Counsels Keep. They where beaming as if they were the sun at this new lifestyle.
Hunter looked grateful and proud to be coming back to the city. He saw the amazed looks on the faces of the city folk. Most of all he was proud to see the newly freed Emperor waiting to greet them. He smiled contently, this was where he belonged.

Epilog

Four years later, a group of people stood around a beautiful pavilion, bedecked in shimmering colors. At the head of the pavilion, Kadin was hugging Ayanna and staring in her eyes.
“I love you forever, Ayanna.” He whispered to her.
“As will I, for ever and ever.” She whispered back.
They looked out over the group, their friends, gathered at their request for the best day of the two young people’s lives.
They where married.